In Brief: 4 indicted in death of football player

Greater Memphis: Four men were indicted Thursday in the killing and attempted robbery of University of Memphis football player Taylor Bradford last year.

Bradford, 21, a defensive lineman from Nashville, was shot Sept. 30 outside his apartment at the Carpenter Complex.

He tried to drive off from the robbery attempt, but his car crashed into a tree on Zach Curlin Drive just south of Central.

Indicted Thursday on charges of murder in the perpetration of attempted robbery are Courtney Washington, 23, Victor Trezevant, 21, Daeshawn Tate, 22, and Devin Jefferson, 21. All are being held on bonds of at least $1 million.

They face life in prison if convicted as charged.

The four, who all have admitted involvement, were classmates at Treadwell High School. Jefferson was the only one who attended the university and knew Bradford.

-- Lawrence Buser

It's Heartbreak Hotel for pair of motels

Two motels closed in February following an undercover investigation into drug trafficking and prostitution were declared public nuisances Thursday and will forfeit their furnishings to the state to be sold at auction.

The Bellevue Inn at 1250 S. Bellevue and The Lamplighter Motor Inn at 667 S. Bellevue will remain closed under a court injunction, but may be allowed to reopen later under supervision and conditions of the court.

They also will have to replace furnishings forfeited to the state under the public nuisance petitions granted by Environmental Court Judge Larry Potter.

The two motels, along with The Royal Inn & Suites at 3685 American Way and The Garden Inn & Suites at 3419 American Way were the targets of a raid by police dubbed "Operation Heartbreak Hotel."

A hearing on the American Way motels is to be held next week.

-- Lawrence Buser

LeMoyne-Owen holds nationwide search

LeMoyne-Owen College has hired a Chicago-based search firm to conduct a national search for a new president.

Johnnie B. Watson, a former Memphis City Schools superintendent, has served as interim president since August 2006.

The historically black college hopes to interview candidates this summer for the job.

For more information regarding the presidential search process and to apply or recommend a candidate for the position, send inquiries to: